The opening Group 1 race of the year, the CF Orr Stakes, may be taking place at Caulfield but in Queensland there are ten top races scheduled to be run and won at Doomben this Saturday.
The rail is out 2m and the track will have the sting out of it, so all runners should get their chance.
We’ve cast our eye over each race and provided our expert tips.
Race 1 - 1:13PM AEDT
QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1110 METRES)
Betterlucknexttime (1) resumes for his second preparation following a 15-week spell.
The Liam Birchley-trained Zousain gelding proved to be a professional youngster in his first campaign, winning both his starts in Saturday company over 1050m here.
The booking of Jasper Franklin is smart given his 3kg claim will see the horse carry just 56.5kg.
He’s drawn well and can stalk the leaders before presenting in the straight.
1 Unit – Betterlucknexttime (1)
Race 2 - 1:48PM AEDT
BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (1600 METRES)
Shadow Power (5) looks set for a peak performance fourth-up.
The Stephen Matthews-trained son of Dundeel found the line well when finishing 2.2 lengths third over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast two starts back.
He then savaged the line last start over this course and distance to finish a half-length second.
Mark Du Plessis is back in the saddle and will likely settle in the second half of the field behind a strong tempo before letting rip in the straight.
1 Unit Each Way – Shadow Power (5)
Race 3 - 2:23PM AEDT
BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (2200 METRES)
Final Reset (5) ventures north from Sydney in excellent form and that always works well in Queensland staying races.
The Matt Smith-trained gelding went within a head of winning at Canterbury two starts back before finding the line powerfully last start to win over 2300m at Newcastle.
He’s rock hard fit and Queensland’s top jockey Jimmy Orman has been booked to ride.
He maps to get a great run just off the speed.
2 Units – Final Reset (5)
Race 4 - 2:58PM AEDT
Class 1 Plate (1200 METRES)
Pre Eminence (5) is a lightly raced gelding from the Barry Lockwood stable that has plenty of ability.
The son of Exceed And Excel was given a very soft trial where Boris Thornton had a strong grip on him as he trotted around hidden behind the field.
He was super last preparation, winning and defeating Caspernova first-up over this course and distance before finishing runner-up in back-to-back races including an open three-year-old race.
He looks well placed in this Class 1 Plate and should race on speed for Martin Harley.
1 Unit Each Way – Pre Eminence (5)
Race 5 - 3:33PM AEDT
QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1600 METRES)
Atomic Clock (3) had excuses in her first two starts prior to a spell.
However, the Ciaron Maher-trained daughter of The Autumn Sun caught the eye first-up on the Beaumont track when letting down powerfully to win by 1.7 lengths.
She came to Queensland last start and produced an excellent effort to run on strongly from the tail of the field to win over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast by a length.
The way she powered through the line suggests that the rise to a mile will suit her perfectly.
1 Unit – Atomic Clock (3)
Race 6 - 4:08PM AEDT
Class 3 Plate (1110 METRES)
Termagant (11) looks ready to win following two runner-up finishes this time in work.
The Matt Hoysted-trained mare registered the fastest final 600m of the race when resuming over 1000m at Eagle Farm with a half-length second.
She should have easily won last start at the Sunshine Coast if not for running into the back of other horses in the straight and losing all momentum only to sprout wings in the final 100m and miss the win by half a length.
She’ll strip fitter third-up and just needs a decent steer by Nikita Beriman to be fighting out the finish.
1 Unit – Termagant (11)
Race 7 - 4:47PM AEDT
OPEN Handicap (1600 METRES)
Kronenbourg (3) was a strong winner last start and this race sets up almost in the same fashion.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding led and was able to dictate the speed on his way to a length victory over 1600m at Eagle Farm last start.
His prior form was very good and he boasts two wins from three starts over this course and distance.
He’s drawn perfectly in barrier 1 which should see Jimmy Orman lead and give them something to run down.
2 Units – Kronenbourg (3)
Race 8 - 5:27PM AEDT
No Metro Wins Handicap (1350 METRES)
Influential (11) returned in great order last start for new trainer Jimmy Downes.
The former Chris Waller-trained gelding finished in the placings in all three of his starts last preparation in Sydney.
He looked good finding the line strongly over this course and distance first-up to finish a length second and will have come on since then.
There doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed in the race so Andrew Mallyon can settle handy.
1 Unit – Influential (11)
Race 9 - 6:10PM AEDT
BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (1600 METRES)
Anemacore (14) has always looked like a horse with immense ability but things went astray at the end of last preparation.
However, the Shaun Dwyer-trained gelding is well and truly back on track if his first-up performance over 1400m at Eagle Farm is anything to go by where he stormed home from the rear of the field to win comfortably.
He’ll strip fitter and is a previous winner over this distance when second-up.
He’s suited by the rise in trip and Michael Rodd sticks.
1 Unit – Anemacore (14)
Race 10 - 6:50PM AEDT
BENCHMARK 85 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Hurts So Good (8) is an omen bet for Philadelphia Eagles supporters that returned in magnificent order last start over 1000m at Eagle Farm.
The Tony Gollan-trained son of So You Think went back from the wide gate before letting down strongly to win by just under a length.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and given the way he found the line last start the rise in distance will suit.
Jimmy Orman retains the ride and can give his mount an excellent run just off what looks a strong speed.
1 Unit – Hurts So Good (8)